Atomizer



Sept. 21, 1948.. 1 QHECKQN 2,449,927

AToMIzER Filed Jan. 24, 1945 l 2 sheets-sheet 1 J. CHECKON Sept. 21,1948.

ATOMIZER 2 Sheets-Sheetl 2 Filed Jan. 24, 1945, v

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f MH@ J /f 0 I7 CC 0/7 ATTORN Patented Sept. 2l, 1948 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE applicanmgucszeivo.` maarV 1 This invention relates to anatomizer for atomizingfliquids and semi-liquids.

Amongthe objects of the invention is the provision of a simple,dependable atomizer which will operate in` a constant conditionover'long periods of time. l Another object is the provision of Yanatomizenhaving a self-cleaning aperture through which the substance tobe atomized passes intothe atomizing fluid. A further object is theprovision of an atomizer which requires less atomizing fluid to break upthermaterial to be atomized and thus operates more efficiently. Theseand further objects of the invention will become apparent in thefollowing description.

Although the atomizer of the present invention is capable of applicationin numerous fields where liquids or semi-liquids must be brokenup anddispersed'in an atomiz'ing fluid, and it is not intended to limit theinvention to any particular one of `such applications, vfor purposes ofillustrationv it will be described ln'connection with a burner for afurnace, such as an Vopen hearth furnace. Many present day furnaces,such as open hearth furnaces, employ burners using liquid "orsemi-liquid fuels, such as oils and tars. Such fuels are particularlyadvantageous in open hearth furnaces because of their high heat contentand because they produce a long flame which can be easily directed inthe desired direction over the bath of metal being treated. Forv theeiiicient burning of oils and tars, however, it is necessary to atomizeor break up the fuelinto very small globules so that it can be uniformlymixed with combustion air. If the atomization is not properly done, itis impossible to -get an intimate mixture of air and fuel and-densesmoke will result witha consequent low efliciency andthe creation v of anuisance. Many different types of atomizers have been used in the pastfor atomizing such fluid fuelsin furnace burners. Most, if not all. ofthese, :employ orlflcesout of which the material", to be atomized isforced under pressure, such orifice being 'so located relative tothestream of atomizing fluid that the stream of fuel issuing from theorifice is subjected to currents and cross currents of the atomizingfiuid, which break upthe fuel and'produce anfintimate mixture of fuelglobules and atomizing fluid. Such mixture is then fed to the burnerwhere it'is' mx'e'dfwith combustion air, the finalmixture then beingburned at the'nozzle of the burner. e In Aatomizers of Ysuch design muchYdii'liculty hasVV been vexperienced throughthe tendency of 4 Claims.(CI. 261-78) the orice through which the fuel entersyinto the'atomizingstream to clog. In'spite of the relatively high speed of issuance` ofthe fuel from such orifice, which is offairly small diameter relative tothe volume'of fuel'supplied the'burner, fuel particles gradually buildup on the orifice, probably starting on: the tapered-inner surfaces ofthe fuel supply pipe adjacentV the :orifice where the stream: of fuel-is'forced to'change direction. In' any event, it has been found thatvaftergextended periods of operation the orifices'have become sonarrowed due to their gradually becoming clogged that the volume of fuelwhich can be supplied to the burner vis markedly cut down. Such. changerequires alterationsin the amount of atomizing fluid and combustion airfrom the original ideal adjustment,` and eventually requires thecomplete shutting down of the burner andthe cleaning of the atomizer.Furnace operators tend to put off such shut-down for cleaning oftheburner kas long as possible', sinceusuallyf. the atomizeris located in'such position inside kthe conduit supplying the atomizing fluid as'to.make it very inaccessible. The disadvantages in such prior art atomizerstherefore haveresulted in an overall decreased operating eiiiciency of'the `burner and consequently ofthe furnace.

'The atomizer of the present invention over-` comes the diiilculties dueto the inherent tendency of the material being atomized or of foreignparticles therein 'to be deposited upon the walls of the orifice' fromwhich it issues and consequently gradually to change the characteristicsof the atomizen Broadly, such object is accomplished by the 'employmentof avibrating element located in`r such orifice, the vibrating elementVbeing so'designed that it repeatedly and continuously contacts variousportions ofthe Walls ofthe orifice during operation of the atomizer,4thereby accomplishing the dislodging`v of particles from the walls lofthebriiice and the maintenance of the original size of the opening;

The invention will be more rreadily understood byreference to theaccompanying drawings. in which? Y' Y Figure 1 is avlew in'plan of onemodification of the atomizer of the present invention attachedtoaburner; Y Figure-2 is a view in longitudinal section taken throughthe line 2-2 in Figure 1; e

`Figure 3'is` a' .view vin cross section aken through the line 3-3 of'Figure l; 'Figui-e4 isa view likewise'in cross section, taken throughv`thellne4-4 in Figure I; andV f Figure is a View in longitudinal crosssection of a second modification of the atomizer of the presentinvention.

The atomizer shown in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive, consists of a casing 4,in this instance in the form of a pipe, which is connected by union t topipe il which supplies a stream of atomizing uid under pressurelongitudinally through the casing. `The atomizer is supplied with fluidfuel through the pipe lil, which in this instance is of smaller diameterthan casing 4, extends transversely through the casing, and is weldedthereto to form a fluid-tight connection. One end of pipe IB extending asubstantial distance outside casing 4 is provided with a conventionalpipe cap II screwed to the end thereof, such cap being removable forinspection purposes. The opposite end of pipe Ill extending on the otherside of casing 4 is connected to pipe I2 which supplies fluid fuel tothe atomizer. Connection between pipe I2 and pipe I0 is effected byunion I4. The atomizer'm'ay thus be easily removed, if necessary, simplyby 'disconnecting' unions 6 and I4 and by unscrewing it from the rear ofthe burner I6, the rear of which is Shown schematically in Figure 1,` oryother elements lto which it maylbeconnected. It is to4 beunderstoodthat burner IG .incorporates therein means (not shown) for ysupplyingand mixing :combustion air with the atomized vfuel fed theretofrom theatomizer.v

`Pipe Ii), through which the fuel to be atomized is supplied, isprovided with an orifice I1 located, as shown, on therside of pipe Illopposite the direction-from which'the atomizing 'fluid is fed i and, forpurposes of operating eiciency and convenience, on the axis of casing'4. Fluid fuel supplied under pressure from pipeIZ to pipe I!! issues asa stream from orifice I-1, as indicated bythe arrow in 4Figure 2, and isimmediately subjected'to'the action Vvof thevatomizingfluid, which maybe air, stea'rn,` or the lik'e,-which is traveling throu'ghthe casing-4toward the leftl in Figure 2, The presence of thev transverse pipe I-Ilin the casing causes a narrowing of the path with a consequent speedingup .of the atomizing fluid, as well as a splitting lof such iiuid intotwov streams which flow about pipe Ill and unitewith numerouseddies, atajpointslightly to the left '(in Figure 2) of orice I'I. Suchimpingement of the atomizing fluidupon the V'stream of fluid fuelissuing from thel orifice effects avery efficient breaking up of suchfuel intosmall globules and their distribution yunif ormly throughoutthe atomizing medium. The mixture ofatomized fluid and atomizing mediummixture continues to progressto the left, "passing twist plate-28, whichis in the form of a small portion of` a spiral and iswelded to the innersurface of casing 4 `at a position adjacentythe burnerl Such twist platestill further'agitates the mixture, breaking ythe fuel globules up intostill'ner particles andpreventing their settling in the progress of themixture vinto and through the burner.

'In accordance with the present invention, aperture I'I is provided witha vibrating member It projecting into the orifice, such vibrator beingso mounted as to allow-its free vibration or oscillation with anamplitude sufficient to allowit to touch all 'points on the periphery ofthe orifice. In the modiiication shown inY Figures 1 to 4,'inclusive,the' vibrating member I8, which'consist's of a cylindrical stem having a-zone'IS-external of the pipe ID, a Zone Within the boundaries 'of theorifice I'I, and a zone 2| "within thepipe I0, is

4 supported from a point in front of the orice, that is, at a pointwhere the fluid fuel has already been atomized. As shown, the supportfor vibrator I8 consists of a pin 24, extending transversely through theaxis of casing 4, to which vibrator I8 is attached by the eye portion 22on the rear thereof. The vibrator is centered by means of spacer sleeves25 on either side of the eye portion 22. Pin 24 is welded to the casing4 to make a fluid-tight assembly. The internal diameter of the eyeportion 22 is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the pin 24, andthe spacer sleeves 25 are sufciently short relative to the internaldiameter of the casing and the width of eye 22,

to allow the vibrator member I8 to oscillate freely so vas to be able tocontact every point on the .periphery ofthe orifice.

`In order to allow the passage of a desired amount of fuel to beatomized, orice I'I must be made of such area relative to thecross-sectional area of the vibrator I8 that the difference in theirareas Yprovides suflicient passage for the fuel required. ABoth theorice and the vibrator are preferablymade cylindrical, since suchconfigurations allow repeated contacts between the vibrator andthe-walls of .the orice with a minimum or wear and allow easy.calculation of the sizesof both necessaryfor. a given ,fuel requirement`in a `particular application. Itis .to be understood, however,thatother shapes of orifice and vibrator may be employed, so long as theeffectivel area through which the fluid passes is correct for'thejob'inhandand the vibrator is of suchshape that it may ,contact all orsubstantially .all of the orifice wall.

lin-the modication shown in Figures l to 4, inclusive, vibration ofmember I8 is accomplished by the `passage through .the atomizer oftheuid to be iatomized. and rof the atomized fluid. Itis obvious thatelement` I8 isvibrated or oscillated primarily throughtheimpingementupon zone yI 9 thereof vof .the mixture of atomized fluid andatomizing medium, ysince `such Z'one `has vthe greatest effective areaand is subjected to eddying currents of high velocity. superimposeduponsuoh .,effect,.however, are the` tendencies of the-fluid fuelin pipeIt vto thrust the vibrator I8 in the `direction in which the fueltravels Ain the pipe by its action against zone 2 I and the action ofthe fluid flowing through the orifice between it .and the innerzone ofthe vibrator, which action probably vtends to center the vibrator in theorifice. As a result of .such three coacting forces, the vibrator`oscillates rapidly during use of the atomizer, .apparently ydescribingrandom paths and effectively contacting all points on the inner surfaceof the orice. The orifice is therefore continuously.,maintained at itsoriginal size, and deposits of'fuel or foreign matter are effectivelyprevented -frombuilding up in the orifice or on the, innerapproaches-thereto, as well, due tothe agitation in the fuel produced byoscillation of portion 2| of the vibrator.

.Inthe rmodification of the atomizer shown in Figure 5, therelationshipof the parts is in general the same as .that in thenrstmodication, the maindifference lying .in the manner, in which thevibrator -issuspended The atomizeril consists of=a casing-.32,connectedby union-34 to .the pipe 36 which supplies theatomizing'medium. Pipe 38, which carries .the fuel, extends transverselyof the casingS-Z, as shown, and is welded thereto to provide aduid-,tight structure. One end vof pipe 38-isfprovided with cap 4i),whereas the opposite end is'fconnected by union -42 -to-fuel supply pipe44.A v,Asili the case ,of the first modification, the atomizer is shownconnected to a burner, the rear end of which, 'designated 46,Y is shownschematically in Figure 5.v Theend of the atomizer adjacent the burneris provided with a twist plate 41 similar to that employed in the firstVmodification, to aid in promoting and preserving uniformity "ofdistribution loff "the fuel,- inthe atmizing medium, l d .f

Fuel pipe '38 is provided'with an orifice 48 which is preferablylocated, as" shown', on the longitudinal axis .of casing 32 andon theside of pipe 38,to-.

ward the discharge end ofthe atomizer. A.Ahole 50 is provided in thepipe 38 at Ya', location diametrically opposite the orifice 48, and intosuch hole, which is threaded, there is screwed the pipe 52, Cap 54 onthe opposite end of pipe 52 provides a fluid-tight structure, said capalso serving as a support for the elongated hook member 56 which is heldin place through a centrally 1ocated Ihole in the cap by means of nuts58.

-The vibrator member 60 is provided with an elongated stem 62 having aneye member 64 on the rear thereof, said eye member being threaded overthe hook on member 56. Such construction allows sufficient freedom ofmovement of the vibrator member 6l) that it can oscillate or vibrate soas to touch the periphery of the orifice 48 at every point. The bottomportion of the Vibrator in the vicinity of the orifice 48 is shown ashaving a somewhat larger diameter than the stem. Such enlarged portionmay be considered to oonsist of three zones, each subjected to differentforces during the operation of the oscillator. `The zone 68, below andoutside the orifice 48, is subjected to the eddying currents of theatomizing fiuid and of the mixture of such fiuid and atomized fuel. Theaction of such fluids on zone 68 of the vibrator tends to vibrate itlike a musical reed: such action undoubtedly contributes the greatesteffect in vibrating the element B0. As in the case of the firstmodification, however, added to the effect of such outer portion of thevibrator are the effects of the fluid fuel upon the zone 10 of theelement, which lies within pipe 38 and above the upper edge of theorifice, and the effect of the fiuid fuel in flowing downwardly betweenthe boundaries of the orifice 48 and the zone 12 of the vibrator 60,which confronts the orifice. Asa consequence of such forces, element 60vibrates during operation of the atomizer, contacting every portion ofthe orice apparently at random, thereby keeping of the orifice free fromany deposits and of a constant effective area. The modification of theatomizer shown in Figure 5 is particularly advantageous because of thefact that the supporting means for the vibrator is readily accessiblewhen the atomizing iiuid supply pipe is disconnected from the atomizingcasing. Thus, inspection and renewal of the vibrator element or any ofits parts, may be readily carried out merely by disconnecting union 34and swinging-pipe 36 away, thereby exposing the rear end of the pipe 52and the cap 54. The atomizer shown in both modifications is adapted forquick removal as a whole and for replacement by another atomizer, whennecessary, thereby requiring the burner with which it is used to be outof service for a minimum of time.

Where as I have shown and described particular preferred embodiments ofmy invention, it is to be understood that such embodiments areillustrative only and that numerous variations obvious to those skilledin the art may be made 6. within therspe of theinvention. vI'tiierefm-eclaim asfn'ew the following:

' 1.An atomi'zer comprlsinganzelongated casing-,f said casingv havinganv open passage o'fsubduit having an orifice therein onthe `sidethereof opposite the direction from which'the atomizin'gfluid fiowswhereby astream of material issuingffrom theorifice is subjected to theatomizing action of :streams of vatomizing fluid fiowing around theconduit, an elongated memberI having a stem of less diameter thantheorifice projecting at-'allftirn'es a substantial distance from a pointoutside the conduit through the orifice and into the conduit, saidmember being so located that its axis substantially coincides with theaxis of the orifice, a cylindrical member positioned across the casingat a point a substantial distance from the orifice in the direction offiow of the atomizing fluid, an eye member on the end of the elongatedmember fitting loosely about the cross member, and spacer sleeves oneach side of the eye member for holding the elongated member in generalalignment with the orifice, the cross member and spacing members holdingthe elongated member loosely so as to allow it to oscillate into contactwith the entire periphery of the orifice when subjected to the action ofthe streams of the atomizing fluid, the material to be atomized, and themixture of atomizing fiuid and atomized material.

2. An atomizer comprising a casing having an inlet for introducingatomizing fluid under pressure and an outlet, a transverse conduitentering said casing between said inlet and said outlet and having adischarge orifice within said casing directed toward said outlet forintroducing fiuid to be atomized, mounting means within said casing, anda stem loosely carried by said mounting means and having a free endportion extending through said orifice, said stem having a centeredposition in said orifice in which its axis is perpendicular to the planeof said orifice and when subjected to the action of the stream ofatomizing fluid vibrating freely and continuously from said centeredposition into contact with the orifice walls throughout the periphery ofthe orifice for preventing clogging of the orifice.

3. An atomizer comprising a casing having an inlet for introducingatomizing fiuid under pressure and an outlet, a transverse conduitentering said casing between said inlet and said outlet and having adischarge orifice within said casing directed toward said outlet forintroducing fluid to be atomized, mounting means supported in saidcasing between said orifice and said outlet, and a stem loosely carriedby said mounting means and having a free end portion extending throughsaid orifice, said stem having a centered position in which it is spacedequidistantly from the orifice walls and its axis is perpendicular tothe plane of said orifice, said stem when subjected to the action of thestream of atomizing fluid vibrating freely and continuously from saidcentered position into contact with the orifice walls throughout theperiphery of the orifice for preventing clogging of the orifice.

4. An atomizer comprising a casing having an portion of uniform diameterextending ahead 10 2297736 through Aseid or-ice, ,sei-d .stem having` .acentered position in said .orioe yin which its axis I1s perpendicular tothe ,plane of said orce :and when subjected to the stream ofatomizingfluid vibrating Vfreely and continuously from said centeredposition into Contact with the orifice walls throughout the periphery-of the orice for preventing clogging of the orifice.

JOHN CHECKON.

maFEImNGES CITED The rfollowing .references are. of record in 'the fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Naine Datev 155364,942 Hallgarth Ju1y3.19342,127,444 Emerson Aug, ,16.1938

lAymar Oct. y6, `194:2

FGREIGN PATENTS Number Country 'Date 120.968 Great .Britain 'NOV'. y,26,'1918

